Just a little over six months to go until the release of photographer, Steven Tilotta’s, book As Is and the photographer is kicking off the party with the release of his 2019 calendar also entitled, “As Is.” This is his fourth calendar and the one he is most proud of. The proceeds from the calendar will go towards the publishing of the book.
Steven has been photographing guys of different shapes and sizes for the past four years and said he got the idea and inspiration for the book after reading a quote by Steve Goodier. “All of us sport an invisible sign around our necks — 'AS IS.' It means, take me as I am. I may not become what you want me to be. And I’m far, far from perfect. But I have some great qualities, too, as well as my share of faults. You will have to take me 'AS IS' and I’ll take you that way, too.”
“A lot of people won’t get what I am doing and that is alright, some people will say that I still chose perfect people and that I am off base and that is also alright.” Steven says that he used to be a people pleaser and it would be real easy for him to do that with his work by only shooting guys with the perfect body, but whom does that speak to? “I want that young gay kid or anyone that comes across my images say its ok to have a belly, to be furry, to be me, as is. That you are no less valuable at a waist size 44 than a waist size 29. Your body, your rules; don’t let society fuck you up.”
Both the calendar and his book are available for pre-order on his site. You can also follow him on instagram.
[RELATED: 79 Photos of Beautiful Beasts, Thick and Hairy, by Steven Tilotta]
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